Dodik: Zeljko Komsic is not representing Presidency at Ashdown’s commemoration

Bosnian Presidency Chairman Zeljko Komsic is attending a commemoration for former and late international community’s representative in Bosnia Paddy Ashdown on his own and not on behalf of the Presidency, Serb Presidency member Milorad Dodik said on Tuesday.

“He is not there on behalf of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and his visit to Great Britain is not on behalf of the Presidency,” stressed Dodik.

“Paddy Ashdown is remembered here as an international offender, who violated all positive both domestic and international legal acts during his term,” he said.

Late UK diplomat, Paddy Ashdown, was the international community’s High Representative, a top foreign authority in the country appointed to oversee the civilian part of the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA), a peace treaty that ended the 1992-95 Bosnian war and contains the country’s Constitution.

The High Representatives were also assigned with special powers called the Bonn powers, which were extensively used during the Ashdown’s term to annul and impose laws and to dismiss officials.

But, Dodik strongly objected the presence of the Office of the High Representative and has been advocating for its closure.

Thanks to Ashdown’s activities, Bosnia is far from a normal community today, said the Serb leader and member of the State tripartite Presidency.

“After leaving Bosnia and Herzegovina, he left behind dozens and hundreds of people and their families, whose fundamental human rights were violated because of his twisted and unjust decisions,” stressed Dodik adding that Ashdown worked on “devastation “ of the Dayton Peace Agreement and dealt with “political corruption” which brought him “significant material benefit.”

If Bosnia and Herzegovina had an enemy in its post-war history, it was Paddy Ashdown, he added.

Ashdown served in Bosnia from 2002 to 2006, and his activities were mostly disapproved by the Bosnian Serbs. The Bosniaks, however, approved of his performance and considered him the country’s friend even after he left the office.

Bosnia Presidency Chairman Zeljko Komsic departed to London on Monday where, according to a statement that the Presidency issued, he will attend the commemoration and hold a series of bilateral meetings.

The Srpska Times is the first English language magazine originating from Republika Srpska with the aim, priority and objective of reporting timely, verified and accurate information on the current events, processes and attitudes (official and public opinion) in Republika Srpska